Monday, November 9, 2009

Workshops, Workshops, Workshops!

Sunday, November 8, 2009169# (Yes, I have eaten everything that wasn't nailed down.)

Hardstyle Ventura

Though I knew it had been a while since I checked in, I was astounded when I pulled up my blog and realized 3 weeks had passed since my last post. Good grief, life flies by! My last post addressed the then-upcoming Hardstyle Ventura workshop on October 24th. That post was optimistic, but unfortunately, falsely so. My personal battle with performance anxiety again became an issue as I was firmly STUCK at the very bottom of a pullup--a dead hang. I was going exactly NO WHERE the whole day of the workshop. If I were a man, I'm quite certain I would never have sex because undoubtedly I would have the world's worse case of erectile dysfunction. I mean, REALLY! I was supremely frustrated and disappointed. I think this frustration and my not wanting to face it are most of why it has taken me 3 weeks to address the workshop on the blog. With time, though, I have come to grips with the positive aspects of the weekend including coming away with some solid information, finally meeting some longtime internet friends (Joey Williams and Nikki Shlosser) face-to-face, seeing old friends, and making new ones. In many ways too, I am proud of not backing down despite my frustrations. Most of the people there could already do a pistol and at least one solid pull up. Many could do multiples without batting an eyelash. They were there to refine. Being there was easy for them. I, however, had to fight the embarrassment of being the lowest man on the totem pole, the remedial student. I am not accustomed to that position. Despite my discomfort, however, I stuck it out. I made sure to be the first to the bar, the first back to the learning circle, the first to try. Of that, I am proud.Then I went out and got drunk to completely squash my insecurities. Nikki joined me:)

On Saturday I hosted Senior RKC Sara Cheatham for a one day workshop on kettlebells and Z-health. We covered a metric buttload of information, and I tried to do my best sponge interpretation. This gal knows her stuff and knows how to convey that knowledge to others. If you ever get a chance to go to her workshop, take it no questions asked.

Steven, You should just consider hosting her for a workshop. No better way to get that part of your list accomplished :).As for the "perfect" pushups...I use that term to indicate that I focus very closely on making each and every rep as perfect as possible. The hubby came out the other day during my workout and saw me doing pushups (which he hasn't seen in a while), and immediately said with incredulity, "Holy shit! Those look way better! When did you start doing that?" LOL

About Me

I find this difficult to write, this "about me" section. Somehow I feel like it is a constant, never-ending search that I am on. Just when I think I have some small piece of it figured out, I realize that I don't.

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World's Best Workout Buddy

Abbie

Kettlebells are not for the faint of heart. They are not for those who whine about the heat or the cold or dirt or sweat--or any other thing for that matter. Kettlebells are best battled outside in the rain or sleet or sun or wind where you can beat them or they can beat you, and the story is told only by the pock marks in the grass and the dirt on your hands. Though they will do so, they are not meant to make prettier muscles but better muscles. They are meant to temper from the inside out, testing your mettle, strengthening muscle, ligament, tendon, and even a little skin. Those who fear such a challenge from a small metal ball and do not wish to bear its mark are not worthy of its gifts. And they should go home."Elitism," June 22, 2008